Chairman FASCELL. H. Con. Res. 369 was introduced by our distinguished colleague Mr. Roe of New Jersey who is the chairman of the Science and Technology Committee. And they have approved this, have they, staff? I see. Obviously, they are for it if the Chairman is.

So I have agreed to join in sponsoring this resolution as our two committees have worked so closely together over the years to promote the 1979 initiative, which is Title V of the Foreign Relations Act which emphasizes the importance of the interrelationship of science and technology in American diplomacy, and my predecessor the former chairman who was the sponsor of that original effort for the inclusion of Title V and it has been an initiative which the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee on Science and Technology have pursued diligently throughout the years in the very simple understanding, assumption, belief that in the world of science because of not only telecommunications, but because of other scientific advancements and progress, that's essentiality between close interrelationship of science and diplomacy is inevitable in that it would be a mistake not to have for the United States that kind of relationship and hence the reason for Title V.

And especially with international competition being what it is, it seemed to us in both committees and the leadership that we needed to be more aggressive in employing science and technology in order to improve our industrial competitiveness and that we had to rely more on our science attachés overseas to monitor and to influence, if they could, international science and technology events in which the United States was interested or could be a part of.

Because that emphasis has paid off the recognition has been adopted in the department because the professionalism has been improved and we see definite progress in the Administration towards a Congressional initiative.

It was felt by the chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, and I'm happy to join him in that effort to sponsor this resolution, to express our appreciation.

We do that because there are a lot of congressional initiatives that never see the light of day and when we get one it not only sees the light of day but is fully cooperated with in this manner, we would like to say so. And that's what this resolution does.

Chairman FASCELL. And anybody else who wants to talk on the subject now has the floor.

Any comment and discussion?

[No response.]

Chairman FASCELL. If not the question is on approving H. Con. Res. 369. All those in favor signify by saying aye.

[A chorus of ayes.]

Chairman FASCELL. All those opposed no.

[No response.]

Chairman FASCELL. The ayes have it the resolution is agreed to. [Whereupon, the committee proceeded to other business.]

CONSIDERATION OF MISCELLANEOUS BILLS

AND RESOLUTIONS

House Concurrent Resolution 371 and H.R. 5389

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1988

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS, Washington, DC. The committee met in open markup session, at 9:35 a.m., in room 2172, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Dante B. Fascell (chairman) presiding.

Chairman FASCELL. The next order of business is H.R. 5389. The Chief of Staff will report the bill.

Mr. BRADY. H.R. 5389, concerning disaster assistance for Bangladesh. Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives-

Chairman FASCELL. Without objection, further reading of the resolution will be dispensed with, printed in the record in full and open for amendment.

[H.R. 5389 follows:]

(347)

100TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION

H. R. 5389

Concerning disaster assistance for Bangladesh.

I

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 26, 1988

Mr. SOLARZ (for himself, Mr. DE LA GARZA, Mr. ATKINS, Mr. LEACH of Iowa, Mr. DYMALLY, Mr. ACKERMAN, and Mr. HALL of Ohio) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

A BILL

Concerning disaster assistance for Bangladesh.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

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This Act may be cited as the "Bangladesh Disaster As

5 sistance Act of 1988”.

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

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The Congress finds that

(1) as a result of the 1988 floods, two-thirds of Bangladesh has been inundated with flood waters;

(2) over 30 million people in Bangladesh are homeless, over 2000 dead, tens of thousands ill, and

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1 potentially millions at risk of waterborne disease and

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epidemic because of lack of safe water and overcrowd

ing;

(3) transportation, communications, and normal commerce in Bangladesh have been seriously interrupted, with a potential cost for replacing destroyed or damaged infrastructure of $500,000,000;

(4) agricultural lands have been flooded, with a

potential crop loss of nearly $1,000,000,000;

(5) the people of the United States have respected and generously supported the efforts of the people of Bangladesh to maintain their independence, promote equitable economic growth, and strive for political pluralism and greater democracy; and

(6) the Government of Bangladesh has taken quick action to cope with this disaster, one of the most serious in the history of Bangladesh, but must rely on

a generous response from the international community for emergency assistance and, even more importantly,

for the expertise and resources needed to prevent the continual recurrence of such disastrous floods.

22 SEC. 3. COMMENDATION OF AND SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE